Extra Weight May Age You Faster

Evidence seen in white blood cells, say researchers

May 25, 2005 -- You probably already know that gaining weight isn't good for you. Now, a new study shows that extra pounds may literally make you old before your time.

The news, reported in Circulation earlier this month, doesn't center on gray hair or wrinkles. Instead, it delves down into the blood. White blood cells show telltale signs of aging when weight gain or insulin resistance is present, the study shows.

The body makes insulin, a hormone, to handle blood sugar. In insulin resistance, insulin goes unheeded to some degree, so the body works harder to make more insulin to get the job done.

Study's Findings

The results came from the Bogalusa Heart Study, a long-term research project including black and white adults and children in and around Bogalusa, La. The researchers included Gerald Berenson, MD, who started the study in 1973 to track heart disease risk factors.

Back then, many participants were in grade school. Now, Berenson and colleagues studied them as adults.

The study included 49 black and white young men and women. All had their height, weight, and blood sugar (glucose) levels recorded at least twice between 1988 and 2001.

There was one more piece of key data: the length of their white blood cells' telomeres. Telomeres are part of the cells' chromosomes, which house DNA. Those telomeres naturally get shorter with age.

Thank you for submitting your response.

Good to Know is a new feature that allows members of the community to answer questions from WebMD experts, doctors, staff, and other community members. We're testing this new feature and we'd like your feedback.